Our Canada based Law Firm is staffed with more than 25 licensed lawyers, licensed immigration consultants and technical personnel. Our firm represents international celebrities in the fashion industry and performing arts as well as some of North America’s largest corporations in their immigration and staffing projects.

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a new requirement for foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries arriving in Canada by air, whether to visit the country directly or to pass through in transit.

For conducting an effective interview, officers would need to adhere to the following steps.

They would need to:

Read the file in advance

This involves remaining focused on the need or requirement of conducting an interview and determining all the things they need to consider for making a decision

This also includes gathering any tools that they might need to consult for making a decision

Establishing rapport

This step focuses on greeting the applicant

It also includes taking steps to put the client at ease such as helping the applicant through the logistics e.g.

Checking whether the clients follow the officers

Checking where the clients choose to sit and,

Ascertaining whether the clients have any special needs

Explaining the purpose and the format of the interview

This step focuses on explaining the officer’s role and authority

It include explaining how the officers will conduct the interview

In situations where the applicant is using the services of an interpreter, the officers would need to ensure that the applicant and the interpreter understand each other

Lastly, this step also involves ensuring that the applicant understands both, the officers and the process

Eliciting information

Officers would need to put the applicant at ease because applicants will be more forthcoming if they feel relaxed

Officers would need to use simple vocabulary and an uncluttered sentence structure

Officers would also need to avoid the use of jargon

In addition, officers would need to re-phrase questions if it appears that the applicant has not understood a question

Officers would also need to ensure that they maintain the dignity of the applicant

Some of the most important questions that officers should ask would typically include questions that:

Supplement details that officers cannot determine from the file

Utilise the application form as a guide

Check the applicant’s replies for gaps, evasiveness and inconsistencies

It is worth noting that officers have the authority to ask personal questions to the applicant as these are perfectly acceptable

However, while asking personal questions, officers would need to ensure that they remain respectful at all times

Verifying the client’s information

The officers would need to probe the applicant by asking closed questions about details that the client should be able to provide

However, officers would need to ensure that they use closed questions in a cross-examination style

While questioning the applicants, the officers would need to observe the client’s demeanour as they answer the questions

Throughout the interview, the officers would need to remain neutral and objective

Similarly, officers would need to continue to maintain rapport during this phase of the interview

Giving the applicant the opportunity to explain or refute

Throughout the interview, the officers would need to remain mindful of the principles of procedural fairness

Therefore, they would need to give the applicant a reasonable opportunity for:

Responding to the decisions

Clarifying facts

Providing any new information or,

Questioning the officer’s interpretation of the facts

Officers would need to avoid being reluctant in changing a decision especially if the applicant presents new and relevant information

Similarly, officers would need to explain:

Any conditions of acceptance

The reasons for a refusal and,

The requirements expected of the applicant and reasons that highlight why the applicant does not meet them

Explaining the next step in the process

Officers would need to write down anything that they require of the applicant

In addition, they must be mindful that they only ask for additional information or documentation from the applicant when they feel that it is necessary for making a decision

Thereafter, the officers would need to inform the client about the next steps in the process

The officers would also need to inform the applicant that the applicant would also receive a written explanation (as applicable)

Similarly, in situations that warrant it, the officers would need to inform the applicant whether the officers plan to seek humanitarian and compassionate consideration, rehabilitation etc.

Lastly, the officers would need to inform the applicant and make it expressly clear to them about the individuals who possess the authority for making the decision

Answering any questions

Officers would need to give the client the opportunity to clarify anything that was said during the interview and ensure that they understand all that the officers have spoken during the course of the interview

Officers might also need to provide counselling to the applicant by referring the applicant to authoritative sources

Lastly, officers would need to avoid giving information that they are not certain of